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| education    = [[University of Kentucky]] (BS, MS)
| education    = [[University of Kentucky]] (BS, MS)
| spouse      = Kathryn King McMullen
| spouse      = Kathryn King McMullen
| title        = Former Chairman and CEO of Kroger
| predecessor  = [[David Dillon]]
| successor    = Ron Sargent (interim)
}}
}}


'''William Rodney McMullen''' (born 1961) is an American businessman who served as the chairman and chief executive officer of [[The Kroger Company]], one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States, from 2014 until his abrupt resignation in March 2025. A career-long Kroger employee who joined the company as a part-time stock clerk while attending college, McMullen rose through virtually every major division of the organization over more than three decades before reaching its top leadership position. Under his tenure, Kroger expanded its digital grocery capabilities, pursued a major but ultimately unsuccessful merger with [[Albertsons Companies]], and navigated the operational challenges posed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. His departure from the company in 2025 drew significant public and legal attention after Kroger disclosed that an internal investigation had found McMullen's personal conduct to be inconsistent with the company's policies on business ethics.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web |title=Kroger CEO replaced |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/business/kroger-ceo-replaced/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=2025-03-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As part of his departure, McMullen forfeited all unvested equity and bonuses totaling approximately $11 million.<ref name="Fortune">{{cite news |title=Kroger's CEO mysteriously resigned. An unrelated lawsuit involving Jewel could reveal why |url=https://fortune.com/2025/08/13/kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-resignation-lawsuit-jewel/ |work=Fortune |date=2025-08-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''William Rodney McMullen''' (born 1961) is an American businessman who served as the chairman and chief executive officer of [[The Kroger Company]], one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States, from 2014 until his abrupt resignation in March 2025. A career-long Kroger executive who joined the company shortly after completing his graduate education, McMullen rose through the corporate ranks over more than three decades, holding senior positions in finance, strategy, and operations before ascending to the company's top leadership role. Under his tenure as CEO, Kroger expanded its digital grocery capabilities, pursued strategic acquisitions, and attempted a landmark merger with [[Albertsons Companies]] that was ultimately blocked by federal regulators. McMullen's departure from the company came following an internal investigation that found his personal conduct did not align with Kroger's policies on business ethics, a conclusion that led to his resignation and the forfeiture of millions of dollars in unvested compensation.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web |title=Kroger CEO replaced |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/business/kroger-ceo-replaced/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=2025-03-03 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The circumstances surrounding his exit became the subject of legal proceedings and public scrutiny in the months that followed.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


William Rodney McMullen was born in 1961 in [[Pineville, Kentucky|Pineville]], a small community in [[Bell County, Kentucky|Bell County]] in the southeastern corner of [[Kentucky]].<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Rodney McMullen Executive Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=1147082&privcapId=284342 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Pineville, located in the heart of [[Appalachia]], was a rural community with limited economic opportunities. McMullen's upbringing in this environment has been cited as formative in shaping his career trajectory. He began working at a young age and took a part-time position as a stock clerk at a Kroger store while pursuing his college education, marking the beginning of what would become a decades-long association with the grocery retailer.<ref name="CincyProfile">{{cite news |title=Rodney McMullen took Kroger to the top |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/06/25/rodney-mcmullen-took-kroger-top/11387153/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2014-06-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="CincyProfileArchive">{{cite web |title=Rodney McMullen took Kroger to the top (archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317082915/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/06/25/rodney-mcmullen-took-kroger-top/11387153/ |publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer (via Internet Archive) |date=2014-06-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
William Rodney McMullen was born in 1961 in [[Pineville, Kentucky]], a small city in the southeastern part of the state in [[Bell County, Kentucky|Bell County]].<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Rodney McMullen Executive Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=1147082&privcapId=284342 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Pineville, located in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, had a modest population and an economy historically centered around coal mining and related industries. McMullen grew up in this rural community before pursuing higher education at the [[University of Kentucky]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]].<ref name="CincinnatiProfile">{{cite web |title=Rodney McMullen took Kroger to the top |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/06/25/rodney-mcmullen-took-kroger-top/11387153/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2014-06-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


McMullen's rise from a part-time grocery store employee to the chief executive of a [[Fortune 500]] company became a frequently cited element of his professional biography during his years of corporate leadership. His early work experience at Kroger provided him with ground-level knowledge of the company's retail operations, which he later drew upon as he advanced through its corporate ranks.<ref name="BizJournals">{{cite news |title=Here's what you need to know about Kroger's next CEO |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about.html?page=all |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His upbringing in a small Appalachian town has been noted in profiles of McMullen as contextual background for his subsequent rise to lead one of America's largest corporations. His trajectory from Pineville to the helm of a [[Fortune 500]] company represented a significant path of professional advancement that would unfold almost entirely within a single organization over the course of several decades.<ref name="CincinnatiProfile" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


McMullen attended the [[University of Kentucky]], where he earned both a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree and a [[Master's degree]] in accounting.<ref name="Bloomberg" /><ref name="UKAlumni">{{cite web |title=Rodney McMullen – UK Alumni |url=http://www.ukalumni.net/s/1052/semi-blank-noimg.aspx?sid=1052&gid=1&pgid=4842 |publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His academic background in accounting provided the financial and analytical foundation that would characterize much of his early career trajectory at Kroger, where he initially served in financial and strategic planning roles. McMullen maintained a connection with the University of Kentucky throughout his career, and the institution has recognized him as a notable alumnus.<ref name="UKAlumni" />
McMullen attended the [[University of Kentucky]], where he earned both a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree and a [[Master of Science]] degree in accounting.<ref name="Bloomberg" /><ref name="UKAlumni">{{cite web |title=UK Alumni Profile |url=http://www.ukalumni.net/s/1052/semi-blank-noimg.aspx?sid=1052&gid=1&pgid=4842 |publisher=University of Kentucky Alumni Association |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His academic background in accounting provided the foundation for his early career at Kroger, where he initially worked in the company's financial operations. The University of Kentucky, the flagship public research university in the state, has recognized McMullen as one of its notable alumni.<ref name="UKAlumni" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Career at Kroger ===
=== Early Career at Kroger ===


McMullen joined Kroger as a part-time stock clerk while attending college, and upon completing his education, he transitioned into a full-time corporate role with the company.<ref name="CincyProfile" /> His accounting background positioned him for work in Kroger's financial operations, and he progressed through a series of roles of increasing responsibility within the organization. Over the course of more than three decades, McMullen worked in multiple divisions across the company, accumulating broad operational experience that encompassed financial planning, strategic development, and general management.<ref name="BizJournals" />
McMullen joined The Kroger Company after completing his graduate studies, beginning what would become a career spanning more than three decades at the Cincinnati-based grocery retailer. His background in accounting positioned him for roles in the company's financial division, and he steadily advanced through the corporate hierarchy over the ensuing years.<ref name="BizJournals2013">{{cite web |title=Here's what you need to know about Kroger's next CEO |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about.html?page=all |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |date=2013-09 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


McMullen rose through the corporate hierarchy steadily. He served in a number of senior executive positions before being named president and chief operating officer, a role that positioned him as the leading internal candidate to succeed [[David Dillon]] as chief executive officer.<ref name="BizJournals" /> By the time of his appointment to the top position, McMullen had spent his entire professional career at Kroger — a fact that distinguished him as a deeply embedded company insider with institutional knowledge spanning the organization's various business units.<ref name="CincyProfile" />
Over the course of his career at Kroger, McMullen held a series of increasingly senior positions that gave him broad exposure to the company's operations. He served in roles encompassing finance, strategic planning, and general management, gaining experience across multiple facets of the grocery retail business. His long tenure within the organization and the breadth of his operational experience were cited as factors in his eventual selection for the company's top leadership position.<ref name="BizJournals2013" /><ref name="CincinnatiProfile" />


=== Appointment as CEO ===
=== Appointment as CEO ===


McMullen was named chief executive officer of The Kroger Company in 2014, succeeding David Dillon.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="BizJournals" /> He also assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors. His appointment was viewed as a continuation of Kroger's longstanding practice of promoting leadership from within the organization. At the time of his elevation to CEO, Kroger was already one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, operating thousands of stores across dozens of states under various banners.<ref name="CincyProfile" />
In September 2013, Kroger announced that McMullen would succeed [[David Dillon]] as the company's chief executive officer, with the transition taking effect on January 1, 2014.<ref name="BizJournals2013" /> The selection of McMullen, a lifelong Kroger executive, was consistent with the company's longstanding tradition of promoting its chief executives from within the organization. McMullen also assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors, making him both chairman and CEO of what was at the time one of the largest grocery chains in the United States.<ref name="CincinnatiProfile" />


Under McMullen's leadership, Kroger pursued a strategy that emphasized investment in digital and e-commerce capabilities, customer data analytics, and private-label brands. The company sought to position itself competitively against both traditional grocery rivals and the growing threat from online retail giants. McMullen oversaw the expansion of Kroger's pickup and delivery services, which became increasingly important as consumer shopping habits shifted toward online ordering.<ref name="Kroger">{{cite web |title=Kroger News Room |url=http://www.thekrogerco.com/news-room |publisher=The Kroger Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
At the time of his appointment, Kroger operated thousands of supermarkets and multi-department stores across the country under various banners. The company was the third-largest general retailer in the United States, and McMullen took the helm during a period of significant change in the grocery industry, with increasing competition from discount retailers, the expansion of online grocery shopping, and shifting consumer preferences reshaping the market landscape.<ref name="BizJournals2013" />


=== COVID-19 Pandemic Response ===
=== Tenure as Chairman and CEO ===


The [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which began affecting the United States in early 2020, presented extraordinary challenges and demands for grocery retailers. As an essential business, Kroger's stores remained open throughout the pandemic, and the company's workforce was on the front lines of serving communities during lockdowns and supply chain disruptions. McMullen led the company through this period, which saw a significant surge in grocery demand, particularly through digital channels.<ref name="Kroger" />
During McMullen's tenure as CEO from 2014 to 2025, Kroger pursued a range of strategic initiatives aimed at maintaining and strengthening its competitive position in the grocery retail sector. The company invested in digital capabilities, expanded its e-commerce and delivery operations, and sought to modernize its supply chain and store operations.<ref name="KrogerNewsroom">{{cite web |title=Kroger News Room |url=http://www.thekrogerco.com/news-room |publisher=The Kroger Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


McMullen's compensation during this period drew scrutiny. In 2020, Kroger reported that McMullen received a 21 percent pay increase.<ref name="PayHike">{{cite news |title=Kroger CEO gets 21% pay hike |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2020/05/12/kroger-ceo-gets-21-pay-hike.html |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |date=2020-05-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The disparity between executive compensation and worker pay at Kroger became a subject of public discussion. In 2022, McMullen was paid approximately $19 million, while the median Kroger worker earned approximately $28,600, according to company filings reported by the ''Cincinnati Enquirer''.<ref name="PayGap">{{cite news |title=Kroger CEO paid $19M in 2022 while median worker earned $28.6K |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2023/05/12/kroger-ceo-paid-19m-in-2022-while-median-worker-earned-28-6k/70211231007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2023-05-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="PayGapArchive">{{cite web |title=Kroger CEO paid $19M in 2022 while median worker earned $28.6K (archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307190659/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2023/05/12/kroger-ceo-paid-19m-in-2022-while-median-worker-earned-28-6k/70211231007/ |publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer (via Internet Archive) |date=2023-05-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
One of the most significant strategic moves during McMullen's leadership was Kroger's proposed merger with [[Albertsons Companies]], announced in October 2022. The deal, valued at approximately $24.6 billion, would have combined two of the largest grocery chains in the United States, creating a supermarket conglomerate with thousands of stores nationwide. The proposed merger faced intense regulatory scrutiny from the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) and opposition from labor unions, consumer advocacy groups, and some state attorneys general who argued it would reduce competition and potentially lead to higher prices and store closures. Federal regulators ultimately moved to block the transaction, and the deal collapsed, representing a significant setback for McMullen's strategic vision for the company.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO? |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2026-02-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


A 2021 [[CNBC]] analysis identified Kroger as having one of the largest CEO-to-worker pay gaps among major U.S. companies.<ref name="CNBC">{{cite news |title=These are the biggest CEO wage gaps at top U.S. companies |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/these-are-the-biggest-ceo-wage-gaps-at-top-us-companies-study.html |work=CNBC |date=2021-12-09 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> A 2024 report by the [[Institute for Policy Studies]] further examined executive compensation relative to worker pay at major corporations, including Kroger under McMullen's leadership.<ref name="IPS">{{cite web |title=Executive Excess 2024 |url=https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf |publisher=Institute for Policy Studies |date=2024-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="IPSArchive">{{cite web |title=Executive Excess 2024 (archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829154904/https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf |publisher=Institute for Policy Studies (via Internet Archive) |date=2024-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Executive Compensation ===


=== Proposed Kroger-Albertsons Merger ===
McMullen's compensation as Kroger's CEO drew public attention and, at times, criticism, particularly in the context of the gap between executive and worker pay at the company. In 2020, McMullen received a 21 percent pay increase, a figure that attracted scrutiny given the challenges facing grocery workers during the period.<ref name="BizJournals2020">{{cite web |title=Kroger CEO gets 21% pay hike |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2020/05/12/kroger-ceo-gets-21-pay-hike.html |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |date=2020-05-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


One of the most significant strategic initiatives of McMullen's tenure was the proposed merger between Kroger and [[Albertsons Companies]], announced in October 2022. The deal, valued at approximately $24.6 billion, would have combined the two largest traditional supermarket chains in the United States, creating a grocery retail entity with thousands of stores nationwide. McMullen was a leading proponent of the merger, arguing that the combined company would be better positioned to compete with large-scale competitors such as [[Walmart]] and [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=Kroger Co says CEO Rodney McMullen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-kroger-co-says-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-idUSFWN2CU0WY |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2022, McMullen's total compensation was reported at approximately $19 million, while the median Kroger worker earned approximately $28,600, resulting in a substantial CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio.<ref name="CincinnatiPay2023">{{cite web |title=Kroger CEO paid $19M in 2022 while median worker earned $28.6K |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2023/05/12/kroger-ceo-paid-19m-in-2022-while-median-worker-earned-28-6k/70211231007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2023-05-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This pay disparity placed Kroger among the companies with the largest gaps between CEO and median worker compensation. A 2021 study identified Kroger as one of the top U.S. companies in terms of CEO wage gaps.<ref>{{cite web |title=These are the biggest CEO wage gaps at top US companies |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/these-are-the-biggest-ceo-wage-gaps-at-top-us-companies-study.html |publisher=CNBC |date=2021-12-09 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> A 2024 report by the [[Institute for Policy Studies]] also examined executive pay disparities in the grocery and retail sectors, with Kroger among the companies reviewed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Excess 2024 |url=https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf |publisher=Institute for Policy Studies |date=2024-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The proposed merger faced significant regulatory opposition. The [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) filed a lawsuit to block the deal, citing concerns about reduced competition in the grocery industry, potential price increases for consumers, and the impact on unionized grocery workers. Several state attorneys general also filed legal challenges against the merger. After extended regulatory and legal battles, the merger was ultimately blocked and abandoned. The collapse of the deal represented a major setback for Kroger's growth strategy under McMullen and led to litigation between the two companies, as Albertsons filed suit against Kroger alleging breach of the merger agreement.<ref name="GroceryDive">{{cite news |title=Albertsons presses for details surrounding ex-Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen's exit |url=https://www.grocerydive.com/news/albertsons-lawsuit-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ethics-violations/756110/ |work=Grocery Dive |date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
McMullen's total compensation over the years was tracked by industry analysts and proxy advisory firms, with his pay package encompassing base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other forms of equity compensation.<ref>{{cite web |title=W. Rodney McMullen Salary, Bonus, Stock Options for Kroger Co. |url=https://www1.salary.com/W-Rodney-McMullen-Salary-Bonus-Stock-Options-for-KROGER-CO.html |publisher=Salary.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Resignation in 2025 ===
=== Resignation in 2025 ===


On March 3, 2025, Kroger announced that McMullen had resigned from his positions as chairman and chief executive officer, effective immediately. The company stated that an internal investigation had determined that McMullen's "personal conduct was inconsistent with Kroger's policies on business ethics."<ref name="CNN" /> The announcement was abrupt and provided few specific details regarding the nature of the conduct in question. Ron Sargent, an independent member of Kroger's board of directors, was named interim chairman, and the board initiated a search for a permanent successor.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="APArchive">{{cite web |title=Kroger McMullen resignation (archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511094704/https://apnews.com/article/kroger-mcmullen-resignation-ohio-da4088a0b626d56b55e2fe75f4520476 |publisher=AP News (via Internet Archive) |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
On March 3, 2025, Kroger announced that McMullen had resigned from his positions as chairman and CEO, effective immediately. The company disclosed that an internal investigation had determined that McMullen's personal conduct was not consistent with Kroger's policies regarding its code of business ethics.<ref name="CNN" /> The announcement marked an abrupt end to McMullen's more than decade-long tenure as the company's top executive and his career of more than thirty years at Kroger.


As part of his departure, McMullen forfeited all of his unvested equity and bonuses, totaling approximately $11 million.<ref name="Fortune" /> The forfeiture suggested that the separation was not a voluntary retirement under favorable terms but rather a departure prompted by findings that carried significant consequences for McMullen's financial interests in the company.
As part of the terms of his departure, McMullen forfeited all of his unvested equity and bonuses, a total valued at approximately $11 million.<ref name="Fortune">{{cite news |title=Kroger's CEO mysteriously resigned. An unrelated lawsuit involving Jewel could reveal why |url=https://fortune.com/2025/08/13/kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-resignation-lawsuit-jewel/ |work=Fortune |date=2025-08-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Ron Sargent, a member of Kroger's board of directors, was appointed as interim chairman and CEO while the company initiated a search for a permanent successor.<ref name="CNN" />


The circumstances surrounding McMullen's resignation became entangled with the ongoing litigation between Kroger and Albertsons. In the Albertsons lawsuit, the plaintiff sought to obtain details about the nature of McMullen's ethics violations, arguing that information about his conduct could be relevant to the case.<ref name="GroceryDive" /> In August 2025, a county judge in [[Ohio]] initially ordered McMullen to testify about the reasons for his resignation.<ref name="SupermarketNews">{{cite news |title=Kroger ex-CEO Rodney McMullen ordered to testify about resignation |url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/legislation-regulatory-news/kroger-ex-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ordered-to-testify-about-resignation |work=Supermarket News |date=2025-08-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The specific nature of the ethical violation that prompted McMullen's resignation was not disclosed by Kroger at the time of the announcement, and the company provided limited additional details in the weeks and months that followed. The opacity surrounding the circumstances of his departure became a recurring point of interest in subsequent media coverage and legal proceedings.<ref name="Fortune" />


However, the order was subsequently reversed. Later in August 2025, a judge ruled that McMullen did not have to answer questions about the details of his resignation, characterizing the information as potentially "embarrassing."<ref name="WLWT">{{cite news |title=Judge: Former Kroger CEO does not have to answer questions about resignation |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/rodney-mcmullen-kroger-ceo-resignation-questions-judge/65935696 |work=WLWT |date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="BoiseDev">{{cite news |title=Kroger's ex-CEO won't have to detail 'embarrassing' thing he did to get fired, for now |url=https://boisedev.com/news/2025/08/29/kroger-mcmullen-ohio/ |work=BoiseDev |date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In September 2025, two courts upheld the ruling that McMullen was not required to reveal the reasoning behind his departure from Kroger, allowing him to keep the specific details confidential.<ref name="ProgGrocer">{{cite news |title=Ex-Kroger CEO Allowed to Keep Details of His Departure a Secret |url=https://progressivegrocer.com/ex-kroger-ceo-allowed-keep-details-his-departure-secret |work=Progressive Grocer |date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="BusinessInsider">{{cite news |title=Judge lets ex-Kroger CEO keep a lid on 'embarrassing' resignation details |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-judge-order-questioning-resignation-jewel-2025-9 |work=Business Insider |date=2025-09-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Post-Resignation Legal Proceedings ===


As of early 2026, Kroger had not yet named a permanent successor to McMullen. The ''Cincinnati Enquirer'' reported in February 2026 that the company was conducting an extended search for a new CEO, looking outside the organization for candidates to lead the Fortune 50 company following both the failed Albertsons merger and the circumstances of McMullen's departure.<ref name="CincySearch">{{cite news |title=What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO? |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2026-02-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The circumstances of McMullen's departure became entangled in a separate legal dispute between Kroger and Albertsons Companies. Albertsons had filed suit against Kroger in the aftermath of the collapsed merger, and as part of the litigation, Albertsons sought to compel McMullen to provide testimony and details regarding the reasons for his resignation, arguing that the information was relevant to the case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Albertsons presses for details surrounding ex-Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen's exit |url=https://www.grocerydive.com/news/albertsons-lawsuit-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ethics-violations/756110/ |work=Grocery Dive |date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Compensation ==
In August 2025, a county judge in Ohio initially ordered McMullen to testify about the reasons for his resignation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kroger ex-CEO Rodney McMullen ordered to testify about resignation |url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/legislation-regulatory-news/kroger-ex-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ordered-to-testify-about-resignation |work=Supermarket News |date=2025-08-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> However, later that same month, a judge reversed course and ruled that McMullen did not have to answer questions about his resignation, with court proceedings referencing the potentially "embarrassing" nature of the details involved.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge: Former Kroger CEO does not have to answer questions about resignation |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/rodney-mcmullen-kroger-ceo-resignation-questions-judge/65935696 |work=WLWT |date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kroger's ex-CEO won't have to detail 'embarrassing' thing he did to get fired, for now |url=https://boisedev.com/news/2025/08/29/kroger-mcmullen-ohio/ |work=BoiseDev |date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


McMullen's executive compensation was a recurring subject of public and media scrutiny during his tenure as Kroger's CEO. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, McMullen received a 21 percent increase in his total compensation.<ref name="PayHike" /> In 2022, his total compensation was reported as approximately $19 million, while Kroger's median employee earned approximately $28,600 annually, resulting in a CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio of more than 600 to 1.<ref name="PayGap" />
In September 2025, courts further upheld McMullen's position. A judge sided with McMullen, ruling that the former CEO did not have to face deposition questioning about the circumstances of his resignation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge lets ex-Kroger CEO keep a lid on 'embarrassing' resignation details |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-judge-order-questioning-resignation-jewel-2025-9 |work=Business Insider |date=2025-09-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Two courts ruled that McMullen did not have to reveal the reasoning behind his abrupt exit from the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Kroger CEO Allowed to Keep Details of His Departure a Secret |url=https://progressivegrocer.com/ex-kroger-ceo-allowed-keep-details-his-departure-secret |work=Progressive Grocer |date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The legal proceedings drew significant media attention but ultimately did not result in the public disclosure of the specific conduct that precipitated McMullen's resignation.


This pay disparity placed Kroger among the companies with the largest gaps between CEO and worker compensation in the United States. A 2021 CNBC analysis highlighted Kroger's CEO-to-worker wage gap as one of the most pronounced among major American corporations.<ref name="CNBC" /> The Institute for Policy Studies included Kroger's compensation structure in its 2024 "Executive Excess" report, which examined the growing divide between executive pay and worker earnings across corporate America.<ref name="IPS" />
=== Kroger's CEO Search ===


McMullen's compensation details were publicly available through [[Kroger]]'s annual proxy statements and filings with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]. Independent compensation tracking sources documented his salary, bonuses, and stock options throughout his tenure as CEO.<ref name="Salary">{{cite web |title=W. Rodney McMullen Salary, Bonus, Stock Options for Kroger Co |url=https://www1.salary.com/W-Rodney-McMullen-Salary-Bonus-Stock-Options-for-KROGER-CO.html |publisher=Salary.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Following McMullen's departure, Kroger embarked on a search for a new permanent CEO. As of early 2026, the company had not yet named McMullen's permanent successor, with Ron Sargent continuing to serve in an interim capacity. Reports indicated that Kroger was looking outside the organization for its next leader, a departure from the company's traditional practice of promoting from within. The search was described as seeking a "dynamic, transformational" leader for the Fortune 50 company, which was navigating the aftermath of the failed Albertsons merger and the disruption caused by the sudden change in leadership.<ref>{{cite news |title=What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO? |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2026-02-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Upon his resignation in March 2025, McMullen forfeited approximately $11 million in unvested equity and bonuses as part of the terms of his departure from Kroger.<ref name="Fortune" />
== Personal Life ==
 
McMullen is married to Kathryn King McMullen.<ref name="Bloomberg" /> The couple has resided in the [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], metropolitan area, where Kroger's corporate headquarters are located. McMullen maintained a relatively low public profile outside of his corporate responsibilities during his time as CEO.
 
Beyond his corporate role, McMullen was involved in civic and business organizations in the Cincinnati area. As the CEO of one of the region's largest employers and most prominent corporations, he was a notable figure in the Cincinnati business community throughout his tenure.<ref name="CincinnatiProfile" />


== Personal Life ==
== Recognition ==
 
During his tenure as Kroger's CEO, McMullen was recognized as a prominent figure in the American retail and grocery industry. He was included in the ''[[Forbes]]'' list of notable business executives in connection with his role leading one of the largest companies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=W. McMullen Profile |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/w-mcmullen/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As the head of a Fortune 50 company with hundreds of thousands of employees and operations spanning dozens of states, McMullen was a frequently cited voice in discussions about the grocery industry, consumer trends, and the American retail economy.


McMullen is married to Kathryn King McMullen.<ref name="Bloomberg" /> The couple has resided in the [[Cincinnati, Ohio]] metropolitan area, where Kroger's corporate headquarters are located. McMullen maintained a relatively low public profile outside of his corporate responsibilities at Kroger, and limited information about his personal life beyond his marriage and Kentucky origins is available in public records.
His leadership of Kroger through a period of significant industry transformation—including the rapid growth of online grocery shopping, supply chain disruptions, and the attempted Albertsons merger—placed him at the center of several of the grocery sector's most consequential developments during the mid-2010s through the mid-2020s.<ref name="KrogerNewsroom" />


McMullen's personal conduct became the subject of public attention in March 2025, when Kroger announced that his resignation was prompted by an internal investigation finding that his behavior was inconsistent with the company's ethics policies.<ref name="CNN" /> The specific nature of the conduct has not been publicly disclosed; court rulings in 2025 upheld McMullen's right to keep the details confidential, with a judge characterizing the information as potentially embarrassing.<ref name="WLWT" /><ref name="ProgGrocer" /><ref name="BusinessInsider" />
McMullen's recognition and public standing were significantly affected by the circumstances of his March 2025 departure. The abrupt nature of his resignation and the ethics investigation that preceded it reframed public discussion of his legacy at the company.<ref name="CNN" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


McMullen's tenure as CEO of Kroger spanned more than a decade, during which he led one of the largest employers and retailers in the United States. His career trajectory — from a part-time stock clerk in a Kroger store in Kentucky to the chairman and CEO of the entire corporation — was frequently cited as an example of upward mobility within a large American company.<ref name="CincyProfile" />
McMullen's legacy at Kroger is shaped by the dual nature of his tenure: a long period of corporate leadership marked by strategic expansion and modernization, followed by a sudden and controversy-laden departure. Over more than a decade as CEO, he oversaw Kroger's efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing retail landscape, including significant investments in e-commerce, pickup and delivery services, and technology-driven supply chain improvements.<ref name="KrogerNewsroom" />


Under his leadership, Kroger invested in digital transformation, expanding its online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery capabilities to compete with the shifting landscape of American grocery retail. The company also pursued growth through its private-label brands and data analytics capabilities. However, the most ambitious strategic initiative of McMullen's tenure — the proposed merger with Albertsons — ultimately failed after regulatory opposition, leaving Kroger to chart a different course for its future growth.<ref name="GroceryDive" />
The failed merger with Albertsons represents a defining episode of McMullen's time as CEO. The proposed combination, which would have been the largest grocery merger in American history, was positioned by McMullen and Kroger's leadership as a necessary step to compete more effectively with non-traditional grocery competitors. The deal's collapse after prolonged regulatory opposition left the company without the transformational growth that McMullen had envisioned and contributed to a period of strategic uncertainty for the organization.<ref>{{cite news |title=What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO? |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2026-02-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


McMullen's legacy was complicated by the circumstances of his departure. The abrupt nature of his resignation, the company's statement regarding ethics violations, the forfeiture of $11 million in compensation, and the subsequent legal proceedings over disclosure all drew significant media coverage and raised questions that remained publicly unanswered as of early 2026.<ref name="Fortune" /><ref name="CincySearch" /> The extended search for his successor further underscored the disruption caused by his departure, as Kroger — a Fortune 50 company and one of the nation's largest grocers — operated for nearly a year without a permanent CEO.<ref name="CincySearch" />
The circumstances of McMullen's resignation, and the subsequent legal proceedings in which he successfully resisted efforts to compel public disclosure of the underlying conduct, added a layer of controversy to his departure from the company. The forfeiture of approximately $11 million in unvested compensation underscored the seriousness with which Kroger's board treated the findings of its internal investigation.<ref name="Fortune" />


The compensation disparity between McMullen and Kroger's workforce, documented in multiple analyses and reports during his tenure, also became part of the broader national discussion about executive pay in the United States, particularly in industries such as grocery retail where many workers earn relatively low wages.<ref name="CNBC" /><ref name="IPS" /><ref name="PayGap" />
Kroger's decision to look outside the company for its next permanent CEO, breaking with its long-standing tradition of internal promotion, was interpreted by some industry observers as a signal that the company's board sought a clean break from the McMullen era. As of early 2026, the search for McMullen's permanent successor remained ongoing, and the full assessment of his impact on the company continued to evolve.<ref>{{cite news |title=What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO? |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2026-02-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:People from Pineville, Kentucky]]
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Latest revision as of 04:38, 24 February 2026



Rodney McMullen
BornWilliam Rodney McMullen
1961
BirthplacePineville, Kentucky, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman
Known forChairman and CEO of The Kroger Company (2014–2025)
EducationUniversity of Kentucky (BS, MS)
Spouse(s)Kathryn King McMullen

William Rodney McMullen (born 1961) is an American businessman who served as the chairman and chief executive officer of The Kroger Company, one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States, from 2014 until his abrupt resignation in March 2025. A career-long Kroger executive who joined the company shortly after completing his graduate education, McMullen rose through the corporate ranks over more than three decades, holding senior positions in finance, strategy, and operations before ascending to the company's top leadership role. Under his tenure as CEO, Kroger expanded its digital grocery capabilities, pursued strategic acquisitions, and attempted a landmark merger with Albertsons Companies that was ultimately blocked by federal regulators. McMullen's departure from the company came following an internal investigation that found his personal conduct did not align with Kroger's policies on business ethics, a conclusion that led to his resignation and the forfeiture of millions of dollars in unvested compensation.[1] The circumstances surrounding his exit became the subject of legal proceedings and public scrutiny in the months that followed.

Early Life

William Rodney McMullen was born in 1961 in Pineville, Kentucky, a small city in the southeastern part of the state in Bell County.[2] Pineville, located in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, had a modest population and an economy historically centered around coal mining and related industries. McMullen grew up in this rural community before pursuing higher education at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.[3]

His upbringing in a small Appalachian town has been noted in profiles of McMullen as contextual background for his subsequent rise to lead one of America's largest corporations. His trajectory from Pineville to the helm of a Fortune 500 company represented a significant path of professional advancement that would unfold almost entirely within a single organization over the course of several decades.[3]

Education

McMullen attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in accounting.[2][4] His academic background in accounting provided the foundation for his early career at Kroger, where he initially worked in the company's financial operations. The University of Kentucky, the flagship public research university in the state, has recognized McMullen as one of its notable alumni.[4]

Career

Early Career at Kroger

McMullen joined The Kroger Company after completing his graduate studies, beginning what would become a career spanning more than three decades at the Cincinnati-based grocery retailer. His background in accounting positioned him for roles in the company's financial division, and he steadily advanced through the corporate hierarchy over the ensuing years.[5]

Over the course of his career at Kroger, McMullen held a series of increasingly senior positions that gave him broad exposure to the company's operations. He served in roles encompassing finance, strategic planning, and general management, gaining experience across multiple facets of the grocery retail business. His long tenure within the organization and the breadth of his operational experience were cited as factors in his eventual selection for the company's top leadership position.[5][3]

Appointment as CEO

In September 2013, Kroger announced that McMullen would succeed David Dillon as the company's chief executive officer, with the transition taking effect on January 1, 2014.[5] The selection of McMullen, a lifelong Kroger executive, was consistent with the company's longstanding tradition of promoting its chief executives from within the organization. McMullen also assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors, making him both chairman and CEO of what was at the time one of the largest grocery chains in the United States.[3]

At the time of his appointment, Kroger operated thousands of supermarkets and multi-department stores across the country under various banners. The company was the third-largest general retailer in the United States, and McMullen took the helm during a period of significant change in the grocery industry, with increasing competition from discount retailers, the expansion of online grocery shopping, and shifting consumer preferences reshaping the market landscape.[5]

Tenure as Chairman and CEO

During McMullen's tenure as CEO from 2014 to 2025, Kroger pursued a range of strategic initiatives aimed at maintaining and strengthening its competitive position in the grocery retail sector. The company invested in digital capabilities, expanded its e-commerce and delivery operations, and sought to modernize its supply chain and store operations.[6]

One of the most significant strategic moves during McMullen's leadership was Kroger's proposed merger with Albertsons Companies, announced in October 2022. The deal, valued at approximately $24.6 billion, would have combined two of the largest grocery chains in the United States, creating a supermarket conglomerate with thousands of stores nationwide. The proposed merger faced intense regulatory scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and opposition from labor unions, consumer advocacy groups, and some state attorneys general who argued it would reduce competition and potentially lead to higher prices and store closures. Federal regulators ultimately moved to block the transaction, and the deal collapsed, representing a significant setback for McMullen's strategic vision for the company.[7]

Executive Compensation

McMullen's compensation as Kroger's CEO drew public attention and, at times, criticism, particularly in the context of the gap between executive and worker pay at the company. In 2020, McMullen received a 21 percent pay increase, a figure that attracted scrutiny given the challenges facing grocery workers during the period.[8]

In 2022, McMullen's total compensation was reported at approximately $19 million, while the median Kroger worker earned approximately $28,600, resulting in a substantial CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio.[9] This pay disparity placed Kroger among the companies with the largest gaps between CEO and median worker compensation. A 2021 study identified Kroger as one of the top U.S. companies in terms of CEO wage gaps.[10] A 2024 report by the Institute for Policy Studies also examined executive pay disparities in the grocery and retail sectors, with Kroger among the companies reviewed.[11]

McMullen's total compensation over the years was tracked by industry analysts and proxy advisory firms, with his pay package encompassing base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other forms of equity compensation.[12]

Resignation in 2025

On March 3, 2025, Kroger announced that McMullen had resigned from his positions as chairman and CEO, effective immediately. The company disclosed that an internal investigation had determined that McMullen's personal conduct was not consistent with Kroger's policies regarding its code of business ethics.[1] The announcement marked an abrupt end to McMullen's more than decade-long tenure as the company's top executive and his career of more than thirty years at Kroger.

As part of the terms of his departure, McMullen forfeited all of his unvested equity and bonuses, a total valued at approximately $11 million.[13] Ron Sargent, a member of Kroger's board of directors, was appointed as interim chairman and CEO while the company initiated a search for a permanent successor.[1]

The specific nature of the ethical violation that prompted McMullen's resignation was not disclosed by Kroger at the time of the announcement, and the company provided limited additional details in the weeks and months that followed. The opacity surrounding the circumstances of his departure became a recurring point of interest in subsequent media coverage and legal proceedings.[13]

Post-Resignation Legal Proceedings

The circumstances of McMullen's departure became entangled in a separate legal dispute between Kroger and Albertsons Companies. Albertsons had filed suit against Kroger in the aftermath of the collapsed merger, and as part of the litigation, Albertsons sought to compel McMullen to provide testimony and details regarding the reasons for his resignation, arguing that the information was relevant to the case.[14]

In August 2025, a county judge in Ohio initially ordered McMullen to testify about the reasons for his resignation.[15] However, later that same month, a judge reversed course and ruled that McMullen did not have to answer questions about his resignation, with court proceedings referencing the potentially "embarrassing" nature of the details involved.[16][17]

In September 2025, courts further upheld McMullen's position. A judge sided with McMullen, ruling that the former CEO did not have to face deposition questioning about the circumstances of his resignation.[18] Two courts ruled that McMullen did not have to reveal the reasoning behind his abrupt exit from the company.[19] The legal proceedings drew significant media attention but ultimately did not result in the public disclosure of the specific conduct that precipitated McMullen's resignation.

Kroger's CEO Search

Following McMullen's departure, Kroger embarked on a search for a new permanent CEO. As of early 2026, the company had not yet named McMullen's permanent successor, with Ron Sargent continuing to serve in an interim capacity. Reports indicated that Kroger was looking outside the organization for its next leader, a departure from the company's traditional practice of promoting from within. The search was described as seeking a "dynamic, transformational" leader for the Fortune 50 company, which was navigating the aftermath of the failed Albertsons merger and the disruption caused by the sudden change in leadership.[20]

Personal Life

McMullen is married to Kathryn King McMullen.[2] The couple has resided in the Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area, where Kroger's corporate headquarters are located. McMullen maintained a relatively low public profile outside of his corporate responsibilities during his time as CEO.

Beyond his corporate role, McMullen was involved in civic and business organizations in the Cincinnati area. As the CEO of one of the region's largest employers and most prominent corporations, he was a notable figure in the Cincinnati business community throughout his tenure.[3]

Recognition

During his tenure as Kroger's CEO, McMullen was recognized as a prominent figure in the American retail and grocery industry. He was included in the Forbes list of notable business executives in connection with his role leading one of the largest companies in the United States.[21] As the head of a Fortune 50 company with hundreds of thousands of employees and operations spanning dozens of states, McMullen was a frequently cited voice in discussions about the grocery industry, consumer trends, and the American retail economy.

His leadership of Kroger through a period of significant industry transformation—including the rapid growth of online grocery shopping, supply chain disruptions, and the attempted Albertsons merger—placed him at the center of several of the grocery sector's most consequential developments during the mid-2010s through the mid-2020s.[6]

McMullen's recognition and public standing were significantly affected by the circumstances of his March 2025 departure. The abrupt nature of his resignation and the ethics investigation that preceded it reframed public discussion of his legacy at the company.[1]

Legacy

McMullen's legacy at Kroger is shaped by the dual nature of his tenure: a long period of corporate leadership marked by strategic expansion and modernization, followed by a sudden and controversy-laden departure. Over more than a decade as CEO, he oversaw Kroger's efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing retail landscape, including significant investments in e-commerce, pickup and delivery services, and technology-driven supply chain improvements.[6]

The failed merger with Albertsons represents a defining episode of McMullen's time as CEO. The proposed combination, which would have been the largest grocery merger in American history, was positioned by McMullen and Kroger's leadership as a necessary step to compete more effectively with non-traditional grocery competitors. The deal's collapse after prolonged regulatory opposition left the company without the transformational growth that McMullen had envisioned and contributed to a period of strategic uncertainty for the organization.[22]

The circumstances of McMullen's resignation, and the subsequent legal proceedings in which he successfully resisted efforts to compel public disclosure of the underlying conduct, added a layer of controversy to his departure from the company. The forfeiture of approximately $11 million in unvested compensation underscored the seriousness with which Kroger's board treated the findings of its internal investigation.[13]

Kroger's decision to look outside the company for its next permanent CEO, breaking with its long-standing tradition of internal promotion, was interpreted by some industry observers as a signal that the company's board sought a clean break from the McMullen era. As of early 2026, the search for McMullen's permanent successor remained ongoing, and the full assessment of his impact on the company continued to evolve.[23]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Kroger CEO replaced".CNN.2025-03-03.https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/business/kroger-ceo-replaced/index.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Rodney McMullen Executive Profile".Bloomberg.https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=1147082&privcapId=284342.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Rodney McMullen took Kroger to the top".Cincinnati Enquirer.2014-06-25.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/06/25/rodney-mcmullen-took-kroger-top/11387153/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "UK Alumni Profile".University of Kentucky Alumni Association.http://www.ukalumni.net/s/1052/semi-blank-noimg.aspx?sid=1052&gid=1&pgid=4842.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Here's what you need to know about Kroger's next CEO".Cincinnati Business Courier.2013-09.http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about.html?page=all.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Kroger News Room".The Kroger Company.http://www.thekrogerco.com/news-room.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO?".Cincinnati Enquirer.2026-02-04.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Kroger CEO gets 21% pay hike".Cincinnati Business Courier.2020-05-12.https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2020/05/12/kroger-ceo-gets-21-pay-hike.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Kroger CEO paid $19M in 2022 while median worker earned $28.6K".Cincinnati Enquirer.2023-05-12.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2023/05/12/kroger-ceo-paid-19m-in-2022-while-median-worker-earned-28-6k/70211231007/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "These are the biggest CEO wage gaps at top US companies".CNBC.2021-12-09.https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/these-are-the-biggest-ceo-wage-gaps-at-top-us-companies-study.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Executive Excess 2024".Institute for Policy Studies.2024-08.https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "W. Rodney McMullen Salary, Bonus, Stock Options for Kroger Co.".Salary.com.https://www1.salary.com/W-Rodney-McMullen-Salary-Bonus-Stock-Options-for-KROGER-CO.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Kroger's CEO mysteriously resigned. An unrelated lawsuit involving Jewel could reveal why".Fortune.2025-08-13.https://fortune.com/2025/08/13/kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-resignation-lawsuit-jewel/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Albertsons presses for details surrounding ex-Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen's exit".Grocery Dive.2025-07-29.https://www.grocerydive.com/news/albertsons-lawsuit-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ethics-violations/756110/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Kroger ex-CEO Rodney McMullen ordered to testify about resignation".Supermarket News.2025-08-08.https://www.supermarketnews.com/legislation-regulatory-news/kroger-ex-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-ordered-to-testify-about-resignation.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Judge: Former Kroger CEO does not have to answer questions about resignation".WLWT.2025-08-29.https://www.wlwt.com/article/rodney-mcmullen-kroger-ceo-resignation-questions-judge/65935696.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Kroger's ex-CEO won't have to detail 'embarrassing' thing he did to get fired, for now".BoiseDev.2025-08-29.https://boisedev.com/news/2025/08/29/kroger-mcmullen-ohio/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Judge lets ex-Kroger CEO keep a lid on 'embarrassing' resignation details".Business Insider.2025-09-08.https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-kroger-ceo-rodney-mcmullen-judge-order-questioning-resignation-jewel-2025-9.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Ex-Kroger CEO Allowed to Keep Details of His Departure a Secret".Progressive Grocer.2025-09-18.https://progressivegrocer.com/ex-kroger-ceo-allowed-keep-details-his-departure-secret.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO?".Cincinnati Enquirer.2026-02-04.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "W. McMullen Profile".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/profile/w-mcmullen/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO?".Cincinnati Enquirer.2026-02-04.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "What's taking Kroger so long to name a new CEO?".Cincinnati Enquirer.2026-02-04.https://www.cincinnati.com/story/grocery/2026/02/04/kroger-continues-search-for-new-ceo-outside-company/88172072007/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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